More than a foot of snow falls across NH mountains

Officials at ski areas excited about New Year's Weekend

With some additional snow that fell overnight and into early Friday morning, ski areas across the region were reporting deep powder and expecting a spectacular New Year's weekend.

Alice Pearce, spokeswoman for Ski NH, said totals for most areas were in the double digits, with the Mount Washington Valley reporting up to 14 inches. The temperatures are expected to remain seasonal through the holiday period which ends Tuesday night.

"It's still snowing heavily here in Lincoln as of 6, and we're excited that our December holiday skiers and snowboarders are going to be able to enjoy some fantastic conditions during the rest of this vacation week. What a great way to ring in 2013," she said.

In the western White Mountains, Loon Mountain in Lincoln reported 13 inches, while Bretton Woods reported more than 12 inches and Waterville Valley posted 9 inches of new snow at 4. Cannon in Franconia Notch described 6 to 8 inches as of 4 while in the eastern White Mountains, Black Mountain in Jackson reported 12 to 14 inches as of 5 and both King Pine in Madison and Cranmore in North Conway reported 10 inches as of 5.

In Central New Hampshire Gunstock in Gilford reported 10 inches at 4 and at the same hour, Ragged was reporting 7 inches of new snow.

Even the southwest and southern portions of the state were deep in the powder with Granite Gorge in Keene reporting 11 inches at 2 and Mount Sunapee in Newbury happy with 7 inches at 3 and Pats Peak in Henniker calling it 8 inches at 4.

"The storm is especially great news for our cross country ski areas, since at least 11 of these areas will be open (Friday) for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing," Pearce said.